Bilateral
diplomatic relations with Switzerland began in 1899 – 1900, when the Ottoman
Empire accredited its Ambassador in Brussels to the Swiss Confederation.
Between 1908 and 1915, there was a gap in the diplomatic representation between
the two countries. However, as of 1915, the Ottoman Empire had appointed an
Ambassador to Switzerland with residence in Bern. During the transition period
dating to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the proclamation of the
Republic of Turkey, diplomatic relations with Switzerland continued. On 1
November 1922, the Turkish Embassy in Bern was attached to the transition
government of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. After the proclamation of
the Republic of Turkey, the Turkish Embassy in Bern was managed on the level of
a Chargé d’Affaires.

In 1925, Mehmet Münir Ertegün, as the first Envoy of the
Republic of Turkey, presented his letter of credentials to the President of the
Swiss Confederation. The same year, an “Agreement of Friendship” between the
Republic of Turkey and Switzerland was signed. Switzerland on the other hand,
opened its first diplomatic mission in Istanbul / Turkey, in 1925. The first
Swiss Envoy presented his letter of credentials to Atatürk in 1928. The Swiss
mission in Istanbul was moved to Ankara in 1934 and became an Embassy in 1957.

Relations between Switzerland and the Republic of Turkey are
close and diverse, and are characterized by regular high-level political
dialogue as well as extensive economic and trade ties.